Dear Dish-It: I Want to Be Popular

Believe it or not, being the most popular kid in school isn’t as perfect as it sounds! I think it’s important to remember an old saying that goes: “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Translation: we always want what we don’t have (like tons of friends and total popularity), but once we get it it’s often not as great as we thought.

Rather than struggling to be popular, you should make it a goal to have a few really amazing friends. Think about the kids in your class – who seems really cool? How about your next-door neighbor, or the new kid on your soccer team?

Another great way to meet and make great friends is to keep developing your strengths (in school, on the sports field and in anything else you do). You may even want to take up a new after-school activity, where you’ll be able to meet even more people. Then be yourself, and be outgoing. Say hi and chat with lots of kids. Ask them questions to show you’re really interested in getting to know them, like, “How was your weekend?” or “How did you do on that test?” Be nice, not nosy.

Instead of focusing on fitting in, concentrate on connecting with others in a meaningful way. Friendship will follow … and REAL friendship can last a lifetime!

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Dear Dish-It in the forums

Everytime I ask my dad for something, its no. Yesterday I asked if I could go to the 5sos concert, he said no, and I asked why. He said there was no one to take me. My friend offered to take me, since she is going. I asked for money for the ticket, and he asked how much it was. I said it was $24, and he said that is too much and that he just bought me a phone yesterday. (my phone was an update, IT WAS 99 CENTS!) My friend then offered to pay for my ticket, and I told her I couldnt let her do it, she has bought me too many things already. WHat d0 i do? How do I convince my parents? It will be my first concert.

"Delancey" wrote:I'm sorry to hear this , but I think you should talk with your teachers. It's really annoying, and I guess you shouldn't care for whatever they say. You're pretty, you're beautiful in your own way. Um, I guess you should talk with teachers/adults about it and I know it'll be tough for you, but ignore what they say and just be you!

I'm sorry to hear this , but I think you should talk with your teachers. It's really annoying, and I guess you shouldn't care for whatever they say. You're pretty, you're beautiful in your own way. Um, I guess you should talk with teachers/adults about it and I know it'll be tough for you, but ignore what they say and just be you!

throughout school I have always been picked on weither it be because of my interests or just my personality. In middle school I was called ####### everyday by all the guys in my grade. One of my teachers even bullied me and my mom never believed me because my teacher was so nice to her... I ended up crying on the 3rd day of my freshman year because the kids in my class were so mean to me... I'm gonna be a sophomore in highschool this year and I really don't want to go back to school because I'm afraid that it will be a repeat of freshman year... I need advice on how to make the best of the rest of school if I have to deal with the people that bully me...